STARTER PLAYBOOK · HEALTH & WELLNESS

Health & Wellness

SCREENINGS • MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID • FITNESS

Help neighbors avoid health emergencies that wipe out savings by offering basic screenings, Mental Health First Aid training, and simple fitness ministries in trusted church spaces.

What You’ll Find Here

Built for small and mid-sized congregations

Real Church Models

Baptist Operation Outreach mobile clinic and other congregation–hospital partnerships.

Sample Budgets

$1.5K–$5K/year cash with more impact unlocked through in‑kind partners and volunteers.

90‑Day Starter Plan

Launch your first screening, MHFA training, or walking club in three months.

Why This Matters for Income Stability

One untreated stroke or mental health crisis can erase years of savings through medical bills, lost wages, and job loss for both patients and caregivers.

This ministry sits at Stage 0 economic stabilization: you reduce avoidable health shocks so families can stay housed, keep working, and keep kids in school.

Churches Making It Happen

These models show what’s possible at different sizes and in different settings. Wherever you are, you don’t have to invent this from scratch.

Baptist Operation Outreach

Memphis, TN · Mobile Clinic Partnership

Mobile Medical/Dental Van

A regional health system and FQHC operate a mobile clinic that rotates through church parking lots and shelters, offering primary care, chronic disease management, and referrals for people without permanent housing.

Church Role & Cost

Provide parking, hospitality, and volunteers. Typical costs: refreshments, promotion, and security; clinical staff and insurance stay with the hospital/FQHC.

Community Benefit

Thousands of free visits annually for people who would otherwise rely on the ER for basic care.

Fit for

Small–medium churches ready to host quarterly events and recruit a steady volunteer team.

Mental Health First Aid at Ushers’ Doors

Urban congregation · MHFA Training

MHFA Training

One Midwestern church trained ushers, deacons, and youth leaders in Mental Health First Aid so the first response to a crisis is calm de‑escalation and connection to care, not handcuffs or a 911 call.

Budget

~$100/person, often discounted or free via local health departments, SAMHSA funding, or community mental health centers.

Outcome Goals

Fewer police calls on campus, safer services, and better referrals to ongoing care.

Training Source

National Mental Health First Aid network with local trainers in most regions.

Choose Healthy Life (CHL)

Black Church Network · Health Navigators

Network Model

Choose Healthy Life is a Black church–centered health initiative supported by HRSA grants and philanthropy, expanding from an initial group of churches to a network across 13 states and D.C.

Scale

Network of 100+ churches engaging millions of people through outreach, education, and vaccination events.

Church Cost

Navigator salaries and core program costs funded at the network level; churches contribute space, volunteers, and leadership.

Evidence

Outcomes documented in partnership with national public health and academic partners.

Grief & Recovery Support

Mid-sized Church · Groups & Peer Support

Support & Recovery

Churches across traditions host grief, recovery, and caregiving groups that help adults stabilize enough to return to work, maintain housing, and parent well.

Typical Costs

Curriculum kits, workbooks, snacks, and leader training ($1K–$2K/year depending on group size).

Key Outcomes

Reduced relapse, improved attendance at work, and fewer crisis‑driven expenses for families.

Leadership Pathway

Participants can grow into peer leaders, and in some states, into certified peer support roles.

Three Simple On‑Ramps

Start with one lane that fits your people and partners, then layer on others as capacity grows.

Mobile Clinics

Partner with a nearby hospital or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to host a medical or dental van quarterly. They bring licensed staff, malpractice coverage, and equipment; you bring parking, volunteers, and community trust.

Budget: hospitality, flyers, security ($400–$1,200 per event depending on scale).

Mental Health First Aid

Equip ushers, greeters, youth leaders, and deacons with an 8‑hour MHFA course so they can recognize warning signs, de‑escalate, and connect people to care instead of crisis responses.

Budget: $1,000–$1,500 for 10 leaders over a 3‑year certification cycle (often offset by local grants).

Fitness & Movement

Organize walking groups, chair‑based exercise, or low‑impact classes led by certified instructors or trusted programs. This helps prevent diabetes complications, falls, and caregiver burnout.

Budget: $650–$2,350/year for instructor fees, insurance, simple equipment, and licenses.

Sample Budget & Hidden Value

These are ballpark ranges. Adjust for your city, insurance, and partner expectations.

Ministry Type	Annual Cash	Volunteer/In‑Kind	Notes
Mobile Clinic Host 4 events/year	$1,200–$1,800	Volunteer coordination, parking, and hospitality (often $5K+ in in‑kind value).	Clinical staff and malpractice remain with hospital/FQHC in most models.
Mental Health First Aid 10 leaders trained	$1,000–$1,500	Skills last 3 years; churches can often access subsidized trainings via local health entities.	Set aside ~$500/year for ongoing debrief and supervision with licensed professionals.
Grief/Recovery Groups 2 cohorts/year	$1,000–$1,400	Lay‑led with modest stipends and curriculum; volunteer hours carry significant economic value.	Build a supervision plan with a counselor or social worker for safety and referrals.
Fitness Ministry Walking club or chair fitness	$650–$2,350	Space and admin time (often several thousand dollars in in‑kind costs annually).	Plan for insurance riders and music licenses if using commercial music.
Total (Typical Mix)	$4,000–$6,000	Track volunteer time at ~$34.79/hour to reflect true program value.	Use this “shadow budget” when you tell your story to funders.

Common funding streams: regional hospital/FQHC outreach dollars, denominational mission funds, utility micro‑grants, local foundations, and (for networks) federal or state health equity grants.

First 90 Days

Use this as a menu. If 90 days is too fast, simply stretch the same steps over 6 months.

Days 1–30 · Take Inventory

Week 1–2: Identify health professionals in your congregation (nurses, CNAs, social workers, mental health professionals, retired clinicians).
Week 3: Call the community outreach lead at the nearest hospital or FQHC and ask, “Do you have a mobile unit or screening team looking for church partners?”
Week 4: Ask trustees to set aside a starter line ($500–$1,000) labeled “Community Health & Wellness.”

Days 31–60 · Host One Simple Event

Week 5–6: Choose your first step: a blood pressure screening Sunday, a one‑time MHFA training, or a neighborhood walking kickoff.
Week 7: Promote beyond members: flyers, door‑to‑door in a 4‑block radius, announcements at nearby schools or food pantries (with permission).
Week 8: Host the event. Track: number of people served, referrals made, and any “near misses” that would otherwise have gone to the ER.

Days 61–90 · Decide How to Grow

Week 9–10: Debrief with volunteers and partners. Decide: repeat the same event quarterly or add a second lane (MHFA, grief group, or walking club).
Week 11: Launch an 8–12 week group or walking schedule with clear start and end dates so volunteers know what they’re committing to.
Week 12: Use simple numbers (attendance, screenings, referrals) to apply for one small grant or denominational mini‑grant.

Before You Start: Risks To Plan Around

These themes show up again and again in health ministry case studies, insurance guidance, and hospital–church partnerships. Design around them from day one.

Volunteer Burnout & Secondary Trauma

Health navigators, grief facilitators, and MHFA‑trained lay leaders absorb heavy stories; programs without regular debrief and care for caregivers see steep drop‑off after 18–24 months in practice.

Budget for “care for caregivers” (quarterly debriefs with a counselor, simple stipends, and at least one annual retreat or reflection day).
Rotate coordinators every 2–3 years so one person is not carrying the entire emotional weight.
Encourage leaders to have their own support spaces, not only to lead others.

Partnership Friction with Hospitals

Some congregations report “parachute” events where a clinic comes once for a photo‑op and never returns. Clear expectations protect your members and your reputation.

Before you sign an MOU:

Ask for a 12‑month plan (e.g., four events per year) instead of a one‑time “pilot.”
Clarify what anonymized data you’ll receive (number served, services provided) so you can demonstrate impact.
Ensure there is a clear follow‑up pathway for people screened at your site, especially for high‑risk findings.

Insurance & Liability Basics

Lending mobility equipment, running fitness classes, or hosting clinical services touches your church’s insurance. Talk with your carrier before you launch.

For equipment lending closets, secure a small liability rider and require signed waivers; set aside funds for routine cleaning and basic repairs.
For fitness ministries, confirm coverage for group exercise and any age‑specific risks; update music licenses if using recorded music in public settings.
For mobile clinics, request a certificate of insurance from the medical partner naming your church as “additional insured” when appropriate.

Scope Creep: Don’t Become the Clinic

Full primary‑care clinics require medical licensing, malpractice coverage, compliance systems, and salaried staff. For most churches, the safer role is “trusted bridge” to existing clinics rather than operating as a clinic themselves.

Three Failure Patterns to Avoid

Training without support
MHFA only works if volunteers have a regular space to debrief tough situations and a clear list of licensed professionals to call on.
Equipment lending without maintenance
Donated wheelchairs and walkers still need cleaning and repairs; otherwise you shift risk onto already‑vulnerable neighbors.
High‑risk fitness with untrained leaders
Prioritize low‑impact, evidence‑based programs led or supervised by certified instructors when serving seniors or people with chronic conditions.

Make Your Volunteer Value Visible

National nonprofit benchmarks value a volunteer hour at about $34.79 in the U.S., which adds up quickly once you count planning, hosting, and follow‑up time.

“Shadow Budget” Example:

Cash need: $5,000 (equipment, insurance, stipends).
In‑kind: 500 volunteer hours × $34.79 ≈ $17,000.
Total project value: ~$22,000 with your church carrying most of the investment.

Impact in Dollars & Decisions

$25K+

Health Costs Avoided

Diverting even a small number of non‑emergency ER visits and hospitalizations each year keeps tens of thousands of dollars in the community instead of in medical bills and lost wages.

$100K+

Work & School Preserved

Keeping adults healthy enough to work and youth connected to school reduces long‑term public costs and protects household income for years to come.

Volunteer Economic Value

A single four‑hour screening day with 50 volunteers represents more than $6,900 in donated labor at ~$34.79/hour.

Formula: 50 volunteers × 4 hours × $34.79/hour ≈ $6,958 in in‑kind value.

Where Churches Find Support

Health Equity Networks

Initiatives like Choose Healthy Life combine federal grants, philanthropy, and corporate partners to place Health Navigators in Black churches across multiple states.

Learn about network models →

Mental Health First Aid

MHFA trainings are often offered at low or no cost through local health departments, community mental health centers, and SAMHSA‑supported initiatives.

Find local MHFA trainers →

Utility & Corporate Micro‑Grants

Many utility companies and local employers offer small grants for wellness projects, cooling centers, and preventive health outreach in their service areas.

Check your local utility’s community giving or corporate responsibility page for current opportunities.

Denominational & Regional Funds

Many denominations and regional bodies have modest health, justice, or community engagement funds that can underwrite start‑up costs when tied to clear outcomes.

Ask specifically about health equity, mental health, or community care priorities in your denomination.

You Don’t Have to Be a Hospital

You bring the trust and the space. Partners bring licenses, clinical staff, and insurance. Together, you can keep neighbors out of avoidable crises.

Download Health & Wellness Starter Kit Talk with a Playbook Coach

Works for congregations of many sizes — from under 100 members to large multi‑site churches — as long as the scope matches your people and partners.

Choose How You Want This Playbook

Preview the Health & Wellness playbook for free, download a full toolkit for your team, or ask us to tune it to your ZIP code and ministry context.

STEP 1 · EXPLORE

Free Playbook Library

Read this playbook (and 20+ others) online, including real budgets, church examples, and 90‑day launch plans.

Always free to preview on the site.

• Full online text for this playbook
• Church case studies and sample budgets
• 90‑day launch checklist to copy or print

Explore the Library

Downloadable Playbook Toolkit

Get everything in one place—PDFs, editable templates, and checklists—so your team can plan and launch together.

$37

Per playbook · or $497 for all 22.[web:25]

• PDF of the complete Health & Wellness playbook
• Editable budget + 90‑day timeline templates
• Volunteer role descriptions and sample scripts
• Printable checklists for Sunday teams and trustees

STEP 3 · TAILORED TO YOUR ZIP

Customized Health & Wellness Plan

We tune this playbook to your ZIP code, neighborhood data, and church size so you’re not guessing where to start.

$147

Per customized playbook · $297 for any 3.[web:25]

• ZIP‑code demographic snapshot (poverty, age, health)
• Context‑specific recommendations and “start here” lane
• Common pitfalls to avoid for churches like yours
• Optional 30‑minute strategy call add‑on